A question about the 40D for those who have one.

[Nickcanada]

So as most of you know I'm debating my next camera body. I have a wedding to shoot in Oct and need a second body.

I think I've narrowed it down between a used 20D and a new 40D from sigma 4 less.

The main reasons I'd like a 40D is the improved AF on the focus points other then the center point. For those of you who use it have you noticed an increase in AF performance?? especially at large apertures.

I like the larger screen, the custom functions, and the improved build too but I think the AF improvements mostly interest me.

I'm also thinking of the Sigma 10mm 2.8 or the Tokina 11-16mm 2.8 but I've heard a lot of Quality control issues going on with the Tokina. :confused:


Anyhoo any input or advice is appreciated.

[cdifoto]

I find that mounting the Speedlite and disabling the flash via camera custom function (ie using the AF-assist only when flash isn't desired) renders most AF problems moot, regardless of camera or AF point used, FWIW. Doesn't work in AI Servo though.

[Nickcanada]

I find that mounting the Speedlite and disabling the flash via camera custom function (ie using the AF-assist only when flash isn't desired) renders most AF problems moot, regardless of camera or AF point used, FWIW. Doesn't work in AI Servo though.

I hear ya, but I like shooting without the flash on most of the time. In a wedding situation though I guess you are right I'd always have a flash on.

AI servo is pretty important at wedding too though. I guess you would use your 1D for walking down the isle shots, eh Don?

[24Peter]

Just to clarify - I think Don is referring to AF probs on a 20D?

Nick - I never shot with a 20D but compared to my XT, the 40D AF's system is quite improved. As long as I stick to the center AF point, I rarely get mis-focused shots (though it does vary a bit by lens and obviously good light helps.) Low light focusing is good/accurate as long as you've got the time to let the AF work - maybe ~1 sec to focus in low light. I don't notice a lot of improvement using my 430EX focus assist lamp except in very low light conditions - there the combo works well.

[cdifoto]

I hear ya, but I like shooting without the flash on most of the time. In a wedding situation though I guess you are right I'd always have a flash on.

AI servo is pretty important at wedding too though. I guess you would use your 1D for walking down the isle shots, eh Don?
I actually used the 10D & a top (when vertical) AF point in AI Servo, no flash at this last wedding & it was fine. It was kind of bright by my standards though, metering ISO1600, 1/125th, f/2.8.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2008-07-12-0018.jpg

[cdifoto]

Of course, Saturday night's reception was dead dark so the 10D wasn't even touched. I only own one Speedlite these days and the beam is out of range with the 70-200 anyway. The 1D wouldn't even focus without the Speedlite's AF assist.

[cdifoto]

With AF-assist, you can hit anything:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2008-07-19-0570.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2008-07-19-0528.jpg

[Nickcanada]

Cool thanks guys. I dunno maybe I should just stick with the 20D. The 20D is much better in terms of AF over the XT. I like the idea of having dual identical bodies too.

P.S. love that last shot Don. :D

P.P.S. I'm expecting really tough lighting for the ceremony. It's gonna take place in a really old church.

[cdifoto]

I love that one too. Even better was standing there watching them grind. :D A little later the taller one's boyfriend took a pic of us and she said we look cuter together than they do. :eek: :D

Yeah old churches? Ehhhh. I haven't done a lot of those yet. For the processional, do the old school thing and tell them to pause at a certain pew so that you can get your shot because the light is too poor to get them while moving. They'll listen to you if you're confident and if you have to, use the ol' "trust me I'm a professional" line. Works every time. :D

For the ceremony itself, just wait for the slow or no-movement moments. There's always a few of those. Bust out the tripod if you have to. Tell them ahead of time to hold the kiss because of the lighting conditions. They won't mind. :)

[Nickcanada]

I love that one too. Even better was standing there watching them grind. :D A little later the taller one's boyfriend took a pic of us and she said we look cuter together than they do. :eek: :D

Yeah old churches? Ehhhh. I haven't done a lot of those yet. For the processional, do the old school thing and tell them to pause at a certain pew so that you can get your shot because the light is too poor to get them while moving. They'll listen to you if you're confident and if you have to, use the ol' "trust me I'm a professional" line. Works every time. :D

For the ceremony itself, just wait for the slow or no-movement moments. There's always a few of those. Bust out the tripod if you have to. Tell them ahead of time to hold the kiss because of the lighting conditions. They won't mind. :)

Great advice, thanks! They are good friends and take direction very well so I'm sure they will be up for that. I'm pretty excited for this wedding. The church is Downtown Ottawa right next to our parliament buildings. Fantastic architecture all over the place and they seem pretty receptive to spending a bit of time for pictures after the ceremony. They seem a little nervous as to my abilities but I'm going to rock the sh#$ out of this wedding. I'm thinking of renting a 24mm TS for some great exterior/interior shots. I'm going to have Moxy (Matt) helping me out too.

[faisal]

Why not the 30D as over here the 20D and 30D seem to be selling for almost the same price...just curious!!!

[Nickcanada]

20D is a bit cheaper.... maybe I will start looking at 30Ds.... thanks! :)


It's funny though, I keep thinking about the 5D.... sigh.....

[faisal]

20D is a bit cheaper.... maybe I will start looking at 30Ds.... thanks! :)


It's funny though, I keep thinking about the 5D.... sigh.....

you're welcome... :D

The time will come for the 5D....just like the time will come for me for the 40D(or 50D or even a 30D) :)

[cdifoto]

My time will come for a 1D III as well but it'll probably be obsolete and the EOS/EF mount discontinued by the time I can get my impoverished hands on one. :D I tried getting my camera destroyed to take advantage of my replacement value insurance by letting guests shoot with it Saturday night but alas no one dropped it. :(

[faisal]

My time will come for a 1D III as well but it'll probably be obsolete and the EOS/EF mount discontinued by the time I can get my impoverished hands on one. :D I tried getting my camera destroyed to take advantage of my replacement value insurance by letting guests shoot with it Saturday night but alas no one dropped it. :(

Why get it destroyed. Just get one of us Rebel series shooters to steal it off you.... :D
Plus pleasure would be all ours....and to make it realistic, we'll just throw in a few punches to make it look real... :p

[cdifoto]

Why get it destroyed. Just get one of us Rebel series shooters to steal it off you.... :D
Plus pleasure would be all ours....and to make it realistic, we'll just throw in a few punches to make it look real... :p
Hey that sounds good. I don't mind suffering for my gear. I refuse to suffer for my art, so I let others do that in my stead, but I have no problems taking some beatings if it means Mark III. :D

[faisal]

Hey that sounds good. I don't mind suffering for my gear. I refuse to suffer for my art, so I let others do that in my stead, but I have no problems taking some beatings if it means Mark III. :D

Alright then....send me a ticket and your address...I'll be there asap... :D :p

EDIT:....you could charge one of your wedding customers for the ticket...tell them you're acquiring special equipment for their wedding from Dubai......they'll believe you as anything with the word Dubai seem to sell like hot cakes lately!!!! ;)

[Nickcanada]

I'm closer, let me beat you up!


So I'm thinking this is a good deal....

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/669361

FM does have a great sales forum!

Thanks Michael!

[adam75south]

A little later the taller one's boyfriend took a pic of us and she said we look cuter together than they do. :eek: :D
she'd be an instant ex...

[adam75south]

I'm closer, let me beat you up!


So I'm thinking this is a good deal....

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/669361

FM does have a great sales forum!

Thanks Michael!
so did you get it?

[Nickcanada]

No the dude never emailed me back then after I go to the thread and he sold one after I emailed him! :rolleyes:

I guess he didn't want to ship to Canada?

I PMed another guy about a 20D going for 330 shipped but he hasn't PMed me back yet either. :rolleyes:

Maybe it's my low post count, I dunno?

[michaelb]

Seems like I see more FS items in Canada on the POTN Buy/Sell site Nick, although I I like buying from FM more.

My 40D is faster focusing than my old XT and the 5D. The 40D is a very resposive camera, much more so than the 5D, which feels very slow in comparison. I'd love to try a 1D series, just to check out the AF, they are too big for my purposes though.

[Nickcanada]

Seems like I see more FS items in Canada on the POTN Buy/Sell site Nick, although I I like buying from FM more.

My 40D is faster focusing than my old XT and the 5D. The 40D is a very resposive camera, much more so than the 5D, which feels very slow in comparison. I'd love to try a 1D series, just to check out the AF, they are too big for my purposes though.

I might just buy from a US seller. It seems like the Canadian sellers want more anyway. I'm more concerned about the quality of the seller then nitpicking the price too much at this point. I really like the rating system over at FM.


Off topic but does anyone know how long it takes to get verified through Paypal? Is just a matter of filling out the banking stuff or do you have to wait a few weeks?

[Mark_48]

Don't suppose this would interest you....I have no idea how this compares to used prices.

http://www.adorama.com/ICA30DR.html

It's a 30D refurbed by Canon with a 90 day warranty. Some don't care for refurbed stuff. I've bought two refurbed lenses from Adorama that in every way look and function like new and I'm satisfied with them. Supposedly you can get a Mack extended warranty, but not through Adorama for some reason.

If you buy from the US, does the dollar exchange rate somehow affect what you actually end up paying.

I've got both a 20D and 30D, Having the larger display in the back is a real plus and I find I don't use the 20D as much just for that reason.

I think when I did the Paypal thing a few years ago it took about 3-5 days. They needed to make a test withdrawl from your bank to ensure it works to verify you.

[Nickcanada]

Don't suppose this would interest you....I have no idea how this compares to used prices.

http://www.adorama.com/ICA30DR.html

It's a 30D refurbed by Canon with a 90 day warranty. Some don't care for refurbed stuff. I've bought two refurbed lenses from Adorama that in every way look and function like new and I'm satisfied with them. Supposedly you can get a Mack extended warranty, but not through Adorama for some reason.

If you buy from the US, does the dollar exchange rate somehow affect what you actually end up paying.

I've got both a 20D and 30D, Having the larger display in the back is a real plus and I find I don't use the 20D as much just for that reason.

I think when I did the Paypal thing a few years ago it took about 3-5 days. They needed to make a test withdrawl from your bank to ensure it works to verify you.

The dollar is so close right now it doesn't really play a roll in my decision.

Ya the 30D referb would interest me. I think a referb camera would be a pretty safe buy.

I'm close to closing the deal for the 20D for 330 though. He's just going to get back to me about how much shipping will cost.

Thanks for the info on Paypal.

[cdifoto]

she'd be an instant ex...
It was all in good fun. I think she was half drunk by that time anyway...she had to have been. :rolleyes:

[Nickcanada]

It was all in good fun. I think she was half drunk by that time anyway...she had to have been. :rolleyes:

That reminds me of the movie "Knocked up". :D Too bad she wasn't just a little bit more drunk. ;)



So it's official, Used 20D in "good" condition. for $348 US shipped. I payed the paypal fees and theoretically all I will have to pay it tax when it enters the country. :rolleyes:

Seller said it would ship out today so hopefully I'll get it by Oct.... :eek::rolleyes:

I thought it was pretty good considering used 10Ds go for $350 locally. 20Ds for 500-550.

maybe with all the money I saved by not buying the 5D I'll pick up a fisheye.:eek:

[faisal]

By October....you must be kidding me... :eek:

Why October and not sooner???

[Nickcanada]

By October....you must be kidding me... :eek:

Why October and not sooner???

It should get here a lot quicker but it always seems to take longer then it should! :mad: should be like 5-10 days but I'm guessing it will take 15 days. :rolleyes:

[faisal]

congrats then......so what do you think your setup will be now???

[Nickcanada]

congrats then......so what do you think your setup will be now???


Well, probably 20D/35mm/480 EX- 20D/85mm/580EX, I'll probably break out the 200mm when we are outside/ maybe inside depending on the light and on my positioning. I'm still going to need to do something about the wide end of things. I'll be able to borrow a kit lens which I might use for group shots that will have to be F8-10 anyway. I really want some kind of special lens to photograph the church and surrounding architecture though. I'm thinking I might rent something.

[adam75south]

It was all in good fun. I think she was half drunk by that time anyway...she had to have been. :rolleyes:

don, i don't doubt for a second she would jump you in a heartbeat, but my bishes need to control themselves...where's my fedora and cape?